"Every minute New Hampshire Democrats are thinking about state politics for the remainder of this election cycle, it should be on building a strategy for solving the political problem."
How do we "build.. a strategy for solving the political problem"?
I agree that framing these political challenges is key Steve. We should also be looking at leveraging what other partner/non-partisan organizations are doing in regard to framing as many of them have a wider reach and megaphone. We have learned a bitter lesson in 2024 that validating a message on an issue in a blue echo chamber is not only foolish but also totally inadequate. We need to validate them against to voter groups we are targeting… U’s and disengaged Dems… thanks for calling this out.
Wow, you're so close to the truth it is practically slapping you in the face.
"Beane is saying that the scouts are focused on inputs, when what really matters is the outcome. And once you realize that what matters is the outcome, your organization becomes liberated, open to any possible means of achieving that outcome…even if sabermetrics suggest an unorthodox, but potentially effective, way to win. If you are good with being a little uncomfortable…then nothing is terribly uncomfortable anymore"
The desired outcome is students are educated. Not that public schools are funded. By this logic you should be very pro-EFA's and tie public school funding to measurements of results from that school.
Sure we want our students to be educated. And no, I think EFAs are NOT the answer. Boosting our public schools is a large part of the answer. I believe we need adequate funding in every school district. It should not matter what zip code you live in; all students should be able to have the same quality of education. That is not the reality. Poor districts should not have to lose teachers to wealthier ones, etc.
When I came to NH in the mid-eighties, I was shocked by how little teachers were paid. I was also stunned by the teeny school districts that had only one anchor high school. I thought that this was a waste and I still do. I think our school system needs reform at ALL levels.
As a lifelong Dem I have to admit the GOP is doing way better on this bermuda triangle. Not only doing better on the merits but the Republican legislators have managed to polarize their Dem colleagues in to being morons in response. GOP proposed lowering housing costs and the Dem response is "this is a free stater proposal to kill local control111!!!!!11". Meanwhile the rest of us are like "wauw I've never heard a better advertisement for the free staters than what legislative Dems are saying now!"
With respect to the 3 main areas of concern to "Polled" voters and the non-involved voter the Dems need to try harder to tie blame for these issues to Republicans. Try out terms like Republi-cation, Kelly-care, Repub-property taxes. Make some man on the street videos using them. "How happy are you that we give $ to rich folks for private school?" "Why would I be happy about that?" - "you voted for it, it's Kelly-cation"
Mr. Marchand: With respect, I find your analysis misses the point by a wide mark.
The school funding issue is not a matter of money, much less more money. Few states spend more per pupil than NH. The problem begins with the way the funding is raised. Property taxes -- state and local -- fund 70 percent of the cost of public schools. Since property values per pupil range from less than $560,000 in Charlestown and $38 million in New Castle, property tax rates vary from one place to the next. This inequity is the ONLY issue the Court addressed in Claremont II when it held that pproperty taxes raised to fulfill state's constitutional DUTY to fund an adequate education for ALL students must be "equal in valuation and uniform in rate" throughout the state. Think of a coin: on one side property taxpayers are taxed inequitably while on the other students receive inequitable educational opportunities because of the disparate fiscal capacity of municipalities to fund public schools. The "school funding" issue is quintessentially a TAX issue, not a spending issue but an equity issue. The problem could be addressed by, for example, levying one uniform tax rate on commercial property throughout the state and distributing the proceeds to mitigate the disparate dispersal of commercial property. At the same time, a personal income tax could be levied to make up the balance. And, a more rational and efficient restructuring the school system to achieve efficiencies through economies of scale -- as Vermnt is now doing -- would contribute to lowering costs. Of course, this is a political problem and a very challenging one, all the more so because the Democrats choke and flap their gums whenever the tax issue is raised.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment. I don’t think there is much difference between what you are saying and what I am arguing. The problem is not that the amount spent overall on education is insufficient; as you note, we spend more than most states on K-12. But we spend the lowest % of that amount from state funds of any in the country, and the courts have consistently said it is an unconstitutionally low percentage.
There are plenty of policies state-level politicians *could* enact to address this problem, but none of them over the past 30 years are *both* politically doable *and* would actually address the courts’ rulings.
If we just do what we have done before, and take much of the property taxes raised locally and rename them “state” property taxes, then it appears that *would* satisfy the courts…but would do nothing to address the inequality you describe. But it would likely be politically palatable to a majority of the public.
If you actually tried to raise more money - new money - at the state level, dedicated for state support of public education, it would address the courts’ rulings, *and* it would help out the Claremonts and Berlins of the state…but is also politically a non-starter.
So this is where I land: Until Democrats transform the politics of education funding, nothing will substantially change - just as nothing has changed for the last 32 years. And the transformation that needs to occur is to connect what voters tell us makes them upset (housing prices, high property taxes, and declining schools) with the actual cause of them problem: The most antiquated, regressive, and inefficient system for funding and deliver public education in the country. *That’s* the job, and I think it is fundamentally a *political* exercise, not a legal or policy exercise.
Solid article! There is so much to unpack here - I've been in NH for 25 years and these same issues have been kicking around since our arrival in 2000.
Since we, in NH, want to fund almost everything with local property taxes, we should also take another look at 'current use' and the impacts of current use across our communities. Land under current use is taxed at a totally different rate than other local land, and for towns with a lot of property registered in current use, this can dramatically impact local taxes.
In a rather simple analysis, dems like current use to protect open space, GOP likes current use to provide a low tax rate on rather large estates (over simplified, but probably accurate).
Relying almost exclusively on local property taxes for revenue recognition, and then carving off more than 1/2 of all property into a different tax category deserves some review.
Having property "in current use" is what helps keeps many land rich and otherwise poor folks in their homes. It is not just helping the wealthy. Perhaps more use could be made of Conservation Easement to preserve open lands and forests from rampant development?
In Current Use land needs to be shown that it is actually in use for farming, haying, etc. Doesn't it?
And I agree that we shouldn't be so reliant on local property taxes to fund so many things. Any attempt to reverse the trend to downshift expenses to towns and municipalities is screamed as a tax INCREASE by the GOP/FreeStaters. I believe must reintroduce the Business and Enterprise Tax as well as the Interest and Dividends tax at fair rates. Ayotte and her crew are yelping that we have a spending problem. The truth is that we have a severe REVENUE problem. How to frame this so the GOP don't treat it like the dreaded "Income Tax" is surely the difficulty.... They managed to demonize parental leave as an income tax...😵🤪🤬
What's the problem? Isn't it that the State does not have enough revenue to fund what they are, by State Constitution, supposed to fund? It's pretty simple - we need to come up with more taxes - either Sales taxes or income taxes. The benefit of Income taxes is they even the playing field as taxes on real estate don't.
Well that's one solution that probably wouldn't make it out of committee. Unfortunately, income taxes aren't broad enough. I believe the Business and Enterprise Tax needs to be reinstated as well as Interest and Dividends Tax. These affect the most wealthy corporations and individuals. We need this revenue stream.
What's the Problem? Judd Gregg and Sig Sauer making Assault weapons in EXETER full parking lots every day while all other businesses in area have empty parking lots. No Other jobs. Judd Gregg convinced DC Republicans to Bail out Banks and when they did, JP Morgan bought Gregg's house for Millions. Judd Gregg Secured $9 million, Nonprofit grant funds to build the NH Institute of Politics and Hired Jason Sorens Director of Ethics in Society and author of the FREE State Project Koch-funded Manifesto. NOT supposed to use nonprofit funds to Support political candidates.
Judd Gregg best buddies with the Bushes, VOTED for Trump. Judd Gregg growing up Admiring William F Buckley. Judd Gregg working in Tandem with John Sununu to CONTROL THE ENTIRE STATE OF NH. Building in the White Mountain NATIONAL Forest and promoting the FREE State Project through Republican party Funding.
What's the Problem? John Sununu was born in The Havana Cuba when his father (American) was making a film in a Communist country. John Sununu was born to a Communist Mother Victoria born in El Salvador and brought John to El Salvador every year to celebrate HITLER'S birthday. Victoria died in Bedford NH. John Sununu was in the White House during Trump's first term MAKING A DEAL with the President of Azberjain and the Gold Mine shares he owns. IS THAT WHERE ALL THE GOLD IN THE WH CAME FROM?
NH IS FIGHTING A 2-HEADED SNAKE, using a women to take the fall.
So, Steve, what do you think is the answer?
"Every minute New Hampshire Democrats are thinking about state politics for the remainder of this election cycle, it should be on building a strategy for solving the political problem."
How do we "build.. a strategy for solving the political problem"?
I agree that framing these political challenges is key Steve. We should also be looking at leveraging what other partner/non-partisan organizations are doing in regard to framing as many of them have a wider reach and megaphone. We have learned a bitter lesson in 2024 that validating a message on an issue in a blue echo chamber is not only foolish but also totally inadequate. We need to validate them against to voter groups we are targeting… U’s and disengaged Dems… thanks for calling this out.
Wow, you're so close to the truth it is practically slapping you in the face.
"Beane is saying that the scouts are focused on inputs, when what really matters is the outcome. And once you realize that what matters is the outcome, your organization becomes liberated, open to any possible means of achieving that outcome…even if sabermetrics suggest an unorthodox, but potentially effective, way to win. If you are good with being a little uncomfortable…then nothing is terribly uncomfortable anymore"
The desired outcome is students are educated. Not that public schools are funded. By this logic you should be very pro-EFA's and tie public school funding to measurements of results from that school.
Sure we want our students to be educated. And no, I think EFAs are NOT the answer. Boosting our public schools is a large part of the answer. I believe we need adequate funding in every school district. It should not matter what zip code you live in; all students should be able to have the same quality of education. That is not the reality. Poor districts should not have to lose teachers to wealthier ones, etc.
When I came to NH in the mid-eighties, I was shocked by how little teachers were paid. I was also stunned by the teeny school districts that had only one anchor high school. I thought that this was a waste and I still do. I think our school system needs reform at ALL levels.
As a lifelong Dem I have to admit the GOP is doing way better on this bermuda triangle. Not only doing better on the merits but the Republican legislators have managed to polarize their Dem colleagues in to being morons in response. GOP proposed lowering housing costs and the Dem response is "this is a free stater proposal to kill local control111!!!!!11". Meanwhile the rest of us are like "wauw I've never heard a better advertisement for the free staters than what legislative Dems are saying now!"
With respect to the 3 main areas of concern to "Polled" voters and the non-involved voter the Dems need to try harder to tie blame for these issues to Republicans. Try out terms like Republi-cation, Kelly-care, Repub-property taxes. Make some man on the street videos using them. "How happy are you that we give $ to rich folks for private school?" "Why would I be happy about that?" - "you voted for it, it's Kelly-cation"
Mr. Marchand: With respect, I find your analysis misses the point by a wide mark.
The school funding issue is not a matter of money, much less more money. Few states spend more per pupil than NH. The problem begins with the way the funding is raised. Property taxes -- state and local -- fund 70 percent of the cost of public schools. Since property values per pupil range from less than $560,000 in Charlestown and $38 million in New Castle, property tax rates vary from one place to the next. This inequity is the ONLY issue the Court addressed in Claremont II when it held that pproperty taxes raised to fulfill state's constitutional DUTY to fund an adequate education for ALL students must be "equal in valuation and uniform in rate" throughout the state. Think of a coin: on one side property taxpayers are taxed inequitably while on the other students receive inequitable educational opportunities because of the disparate fiscal capacity of municipalities to fund public schools. The "school funding" issue is quintessentially a TAX issue, not a spending issue but an equity issue. The problem could be addressed by, for example, levying one uniform tax rate on commercial property throughout the state and distributing the proceeds to mitigate the disparate dispersal of commercial property. At the same time, a personal income tax could be levied to make up the balance. And, a more rational and efficient restructuring the school system to achieve efficiencies through economies of scale -- as Vermnt is now doing -- would contribute to lowering costs. Of course, this is a political problem and a very challenging one, all the more so because the Democrats choke and flap their gums whenever the tax issue is raised.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment. I don’t think there is much difference between what you are saying and what I am arguing. The problem is not that the amount spent overall on education is insufficient; as you note, we spend more than most states on K-12. But we spend the lowest % of that amount from state funds of any in the country, and the courts have consistently said it is an unconstitutionally low percentage.
There are plenty of policies state-level politicians *could* enact to address this problem, but none of them over the past 30 years are *both* politically doable *and* would actually address the courts’ rulings.
If we just do what we have done before, and take much of the property taxes raised locally and rename them “state” property taxes, then it appears that *would* satisfy the courts…but would do nothing to address the inequality you describe. But it would likely be politically palatable to a majority of the public.
If you actually tried to raise more money - new money - at the state level, dedicated for state support of public education, it would address the courts’ rulings, *and* it would help out the Claremonts and Berlins of the state…but is also politically a non-starter.
So this is where I land: Until Democrats transform the politics of education funding, nothing will substantially change - just as nothing has changed for the last 32 years. And the transformation that needs to occur is to connect what voters tell us makes them upset (housing prices, high property taxes, and declining schools) with the actual cause of them problem: The most antiquated, regressive, and inefficient system for funding and deliver public education in the country. *That’s* the job, and I think it is fundamentally a *political* exercise, not a legal or policy exercise.
Solid article! There is so much to unpack here - I've been in NH for 25 years and these same issues have been kicking around since our arrival in 2000.
Since we, in NH, want to fund almost everything with local property taxes, we should also take another look at 'current use' and the impacts of current use across our communities. Land under current use is taxed at a totally different rate than other local land, and for towns with a lot of property registered in current use, this can dramatically impact local taxes.
More than 1/2 of all property in NH is registered as current use - from 2023: https://www.revenue.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt736/files/inline-documents/sonh/2023-current-use-report-by-county.pdf
In a rather simple analysis, dems like current use to protect open space, GOP likes current use to provide a low tax rate on rather large estates (over simplified, but probably accurate).
Relying almost exclusively on local property taxes for revenue recognition, and then carving off more than 1/2 of all property into a different tax category deserves some review.
Having property "in current use" is what helps keeps many land rich and otherwise poor folks in their homes. It is not just helping the wealthy. Perhaps more use could be made of Conservation Easement to preserve open lands and forests from rampant development?
In Current Use land needs to be shown that it is actually in use for farming, haying, etc. Doesn't it?
And I agree that we shouldn't be so reliant on local property taxes to fund so many things. Any attempt to reverse the trend to downshift expenses to towns and municipalities is screamed as a tax INCREASE by the GOP/FreeStaters. I believe must reintroduce the Business and Enterprise Tax as well as the Interest and Dividends tax at fair rates. Ayotte and her crew are yelping that we have a spending problem. The truth is that we have a severe REVENUE problem. How to frame this so the GOP don't treat it like the dreaded "Income Tax" is surely the difficulty.... They managed to demonize parental leave as an income tax...😵🤪🤬
What's the problem? Isn't it that the State does not have enough revenue to fund what they are, by State Constitution, supposed to fund? It's pretty simple - we need to come up with more taxes - either Sales taxes or income taxes. The benefit of Income taxes is they even the playing field as taxes on real estate don't.
Eh. just tax real estate at the state level instead of local and spend the money fairly and you'd get an even playing field.
Well that's one solution that probably wouldn't make it out of committee. Unfortunately, income taxes aren't broad enough. I believe the Business and Enterprise Tax needs to be reinstated as well as Interest and Dividends Tax. These affect the most wealthy corporations and individuals. We need this revenue stream.
What's the Problem? Judd Gregg and Sig Sauer making Assault weapons in EXETER full parking lots every day while all other businesses in area have empty parking lots. No Other jobs. Judd Gregg convinced DC Republicans to Bail out Banks and when they did, JP Morgan bought Gregg's house for Millions. Judd Gregg Secured $9 million, Nonprofit grant funds to build the NH Institute of Politics and Hired Jason Sorens Director of Ethics in Society and author of the FREE State Project Koch-funded Manifesto. NOT supposed to use nonprofit funds to Support political candidates.
Judd Gregg best buddies with the Bushes, VOTED for Trump. Judd Gregg growing up Admiring William F Buckley. Judd Gregg working in Tandem with John Sununu to CONTROL THE ENTIRE STATE OF NH. Building in the White Mountain NATIONAL Forest and promoting the FREE State Project through Republican party Funding.
What's the Problem? John Sununu was born in The Havana Cuba when his father (American) was making a film in a Communist country. John Sununu was born to a Communist Mother Victoria born in El Salvador and brought John to El Salvador every year to celebrate HITLER'S birthday. Victoria died in Bedford NH. John Sununu was in the White House during Trump's first term MAKING A DEAL with the President of Azberjain and the Gold Mine shares he owns. IS THAT WHERE ALL THE GOLD IN THE WH CAME FROM?
NH IS FIGHTING A 2-HEADED SNAKE, using a women to take the fall.